St Louise's Comprehensive College Explained

St. Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast
Coláiste Naoimh Labhaoise, Béal Feirste
Established:1958
Type:Comprehensive School
City:Belfast
Enrolment:1500 (approx.)
Location:468 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6EN
Head Label:Principal
Head:Mary McHenry, BA(Hons), PGCE, MSc, PQH[1]
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:18

St. Louise's Comprehensive College (Irish: Colaiste Naoimh Labhaoise) is a comprehensive high school located in the Upper Falls Road, Belfast.

History

St. Louise's was established in 1958. The religious order the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul was asked by the Catholic Church to take responsibility for this school. The college is named after St. Louise de Marrilac who co-founded the Daughters of Charity with St. Vincent de Paul.

Sister Genevieve (Mary) O'Farrell was appointed one of the first Principals. She held the position for 25 years during which period the school grew in size from 1,000 to 2,400 students becoming the largest single-sex school in Europe.[2] In 2019/20 school year it has begun to accept boys as well as girls.

Academics

St. Louise's offers instruction in a wide range of subjects.[3] It offers technical and vocational courses alongside a large suite of academic subjects.

In 2006 it was recognised as one of the first Specialist Colleges in Northern Ireland with particular expertise in Performing Arts and Media.

In 2013 it was ranked the top, non-selective school in Northern Ireland at 5A* - C and has been the highest performing Belfast school for several years in a row.

At ‘A’Level, its value added scores have placed it in the top ten percent of schools across Britain for several years in succession. In 2019, 75.5% of its students who sat the A-level exams were awarded three A*-C grades.[4] It is one of the few schools in Northern Ireland which has City and Guilds affiliation.

Principals

Notable alumni

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Mary McHenry Vice-Principal St Louise’s College . 14 August 2021 . Belfast Media.
  2. Web site: 'She was the only man on the Falls Road'. 12 November 2016. The Guardian.
  3. Web site: St. Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast. 12 November 2016. St. Louise's Comprehensive College.
  4. Web site: Belfast Telegraph A-Level: Northern Ireland School League Tables 2019. 21 March 2019. Belfast Telegraph.
  5. News: McHardy . Anne . Sister Genevieve O'Farrell . 15 August 2021 . The Guardian . 9 June 2002.
  6. News: West Belfast principal encouraged her girls to 'think big and be all they could be' . 15 August 2021 . 23 March 2017. The Irish News.
  7. News: Ryan . Francesca . Carmel puts away the chalk after 37 St Louise’s years . 25 August 2021 . 8 July 2014. Belfast Media.
  8. Web site: Brenda Murphy. 29 December 2016. Culture Northern Ireland.
  9. Web site: Radio review: Bronagh Taggart on catching the acting bug. 7 March 2020. The Irish News.
  10. News: Geraldine Hughes and her rocky road to fame . 15 November 2021 . Belfast Telegraph . 12 September 2008.
  11. News: Clair Dobbin KC: Belfast lawyer returns to lead Covid inquiry. 16 May 2024 . Irish News . 16 May 2024.
  12. Web site: Emma Jordan. 29 December 2016. Culture Northern Ireland.
  13. Web site: Mary O'Hara. 29 December 2016. futermanrose.
  14. Web site: Anthony Boyle: Belfast actor enjoying rave reviews in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 29 December 2016. BBC Northern Ireland.
  15. Web site: Boxing - Athlete Profile: Kristina O'HARA - Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. results.gc2018.com.